Davao City — Authorities intercepted a sidewalk vendor transporting smuggled cigarettes during a joint checkpoint operation at the Lasang Entry Point in Davao City around 11:14 a.m. on Sunday, August 24, 2025.
The suspect, a resident of Purok 4B, Barangay 23-C, Poblacion District, was driving an Army Green Suzuki Transformer when flagged down by personnel of Task Force Davao (TFD) and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO). He was reportedly traveling from Tagum City toward Davao City at the time of his apprehension.
Confiscated from his possession were 125 reams of Green Hill cigarettes and 30 reams of Bosqu cigarettes, all undocumented, with an estimated street value of ₱121,799. Authorities said the seizure was made in violation of Republic Act 4712, which amends provisions of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines.
Colonel Rodrigo A. Mariñas Jr., Commander of Task Force Davao, lauded the checkpoint personnel for their vigilance in preventing the entry of illegal goods into the city.
The suspect, along with the seized contraband, was turned over to Bunawan Police Station 6 for proper documentation and disposition.